Clock · Clockwork orrery

English Clockwork Orrery by Eric Watson

Partially verified

This handmade English clockwork orrery was crafted circa 1982 by Eric Watson of Saddleworth, United Kingdom, and is reported by the dealer to be one of five made. Constructed of gilt brass with silvered dials, the mechanism models the solar system including the Sun, Earth, Moon, and five planets. The Earth globe is fashioned from hammered and enameled copper with silver-overlaid continents. Its movement relies on an eight-day fusee-driven clockwork train with over 80 wheels, driven by elliptical gears each possessing around 600 teeth, regulated by a seconds-beating club-tooth lever escapement with a remontoire. The mechanism stands on splayed brass legs upon a hexagonal Sapele-veneered wooden plinth fitted with a key drawer.

Full view of the Eric Watson clockwork orrery on its hexagonal wooden plinth — Renaissance Antiques. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source: www.renaissanceantiques.com
Category: Clock · Clockwork orrery
Maker / attribution: Eric Watson
Reference: Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier: BTAY 2
Source-reported date: Circa 1982
Country: United Kingdom

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Maker and Historical Identity

This clockwork orrery is attributed to Eric Watson of Saddleworth, UK, with an approximate production date of circa 1982. The item is identified by the dealer as one of five examples produced.

The device is a hand-made clockwork model of the solar system, designed to represent the Sun, Earth, Moon, and five planets.

Evidence for this section

“executed by Eric Watson of Saddleworth, UK.”
“Circa 1982”
“This horological marvel is one of only 5 in existence.”
“This clockwork driven model of the solar system is one of few in existence to depict the Earth, Moon, Sun and 5 planets.”

Construction and Materials

The orrery is constructed of gilt brass with silvered dials. The terrestrial component is formed from hammered and enameled copper, featuring silver-overlaid continents.

The mechanism is mounted on a hexagonal base veneered in Sapele wood. The base includes a drawer for storage; however, the winding and setting keys, along with the source-referenced custom glass cover, are not visible in the provided imagery.

Evidence for this section

“This Orrery is hand made of gilt brass with silvered dials”
“The Earth is formed of hammered and enameled copper, the continents overlaid in silver.”
“The hexagon wood base is veneered in Sapele wood, fitted with a custom-made glass cover. A drawer at the base houses the winding and setting keys.”

Mechanical Movement

The instrument features an 8-day fusee-driven clockwork mechanism. It utilizes a gear train containing over 80 wheels, with planetary motion driven by elliptical gears each possessing approximately 600 teeth.

The system is regulated by a large club-tooth lever escapement that incorporates a remontoire and is designed to beat seconds.

Evidence for this section

“The 8 day clockwork mechanism is fusee driven.”
“Elliptical gears drive the planetary motion, each with about 600 teeth, and over 80 wheels in the gear train.”
“A specially engineered large club tooth lever escapement, beating seconds and incorporating a remontoire”

Open research questions

What specific technical documentation or horological logs exist to verify the production count and engineering specifications provided by the dealer?
How does the remontoire mechanism specifically interact with the described elliptical gear train to maintain constant force?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for English Clockwork Orrery by Eric Watson
Field	Source-reported value	Source quotation
Maker	Eric Watson of Saddleworth, UK	“executed by Eric Watson of Saddleworth, UK.”
Materials	Gilt brass with silvered dials and enameled copper Earth	“This Orrery is hand made of gilt brass with silvered dials”
Planetary depictions	Earth, Moon, Sun, and 5 planets	“depict the Earth, Moon, Sun and 5 planets.”
Movement drive	8-day fusee-driven clockwork mechanism	“The 8 day clockwork mechanism is fusee driven.”
Escapement	Large club tooth lever escapement with remontoire	“A specially engineered large club tooth lever escapement, beating seconds and incorporating a remontoire, provide adequate impulse to drive the massive train gears.”
Base	Hexagonal Sapele-veneered base with drawer	“The hexagon wood base is veneered in Sapele wood, fitted with a custom-made glass cover. A drawer at the base houses the winding and setting keys.”
Dimensions	15 inches high by 20.5 inches wide	“15″high x 20-1/2″wide”

Visible details

A central sphere represents the Sun, surrounded by geared arms carrying planetary spheres and an enameled terrestrial globe.
The terrestrial globe features a blue enameled surface with silver metallic continental outlines.
A complex multi-tiered gilt brass train of gears is mounted upon three splayed brass support legs.
The structure rests on a molded hexagonal wood-veneered base featuring a brass drawer plate with a small knob.

Research qualifications

The custom-made glass cover mentioned in the source description is not present in the photograph.
The winding and setting keys stored in the base drawer are not depicted.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

English Orrery by Eric Watson - Renaissance Antiques

Reviewed 2026-10-25 · Record 6c43cb6196

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.